MARTINA
Self proclaimed It-Girl, History making, personal growth blogger and beauty model
"I was born and raised in the small agricultural city of Salinas, CA, the daughter of immigrant parents who fled Mexico with dreams of providing a better future for our family. By the age of 5, I knew something was different about me, but I wasn't sure exactly what that meant. I was teased constantly at school and would come home crying."
MY FAMILY EVENTUALLY GREW TO SEE ME AS THEIR DAUGHTER."
I came out as transgender in my late teens, which was a significant transition not only for me but also for my family. We held numerous family meetings to navigate this change, and initially, there was a period of denial that lasted for six years. Despite the challenges we faced in gaining acceptance, my family eventually came to see me as their daughter.
"NO ONE KNEW ABOUT THE LIES BEHIND MY WIDE SMILE..."
My early 20's were pivotal in shaping me. I met my first ever boyfriend. We whispered sweet nothings and maintained a pleasant life on the outside. No one knew about the lies behind my wide smile or the countless hours spent concealing the bruises. This went on for 6 years. After the last big fight I vowed to dedicate myself to the relationship that matters most- the relationship with myself.
The moment my life changed for the better was when I received the call that I was going to become the first transgender Grammy Awards presenter. I always dreamt of being a star in some shape or form, and this news made me flip! Being creative is a form of therapy for me and has helped me tremendously. Making my mark in this industry has been monumental. I've always had the desire to use my platform to share my story with everyone and uplift others going through tough times."
"I know it's going to make some people uncomfortable and make others weep for joy," she said. "I'm just going to step out there and strut and make sure I deliver my best, because there's people out there looking up to me."
-nbcnews.com
"I'M JUST GOING TO STEP OUT THERE AND STRUT..."
